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Bibliography expanded and updated to reflect recent research. Corrections in citations updated. Additional paragraphs on current themes expanded. Inclusion of web links for further reading.

Updated on 1 August 2013. The previous version of this content can be found here.

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PRINTED FROM the Encyclopedia of Social Work, accessed online. (c) National Association of Social Workers and Oxford University Press USA, 2019. All Rights Reserved. Under the terms of the applicable license agreement governing use of the Encyclopedia of Social Work accessed online, an authorized individual user may print out a PDF of a single article for personal use, only (for details see Privacy Policy and Legal Notice).

date: 21 March 2019

Abstract and Keywords

Rural social work, whose history stretches back a century, has been revitalized since the mid-1970s. Definitions, typologies, and characteristics of rurality are provided, which serve as a framework for rural practice, policy, and research concerns. A primary focus is on those concerns differentiating rural from urban social work. Social workers interested in additional information are given basic references, as well as material on the National Rural Social Work Caucus, the annual National Institute on Social Work and Human Services in Rural Areas, the electronic journal, and the online listserv.

Drs. Judith and Joseph Davenport have dedicated their practice, research, writing, and teaching to all things rural. They have published and presented their research findings across the United States and in many other countries. Judith has received the honor of being a recipient of the Victor Howery Award for outstanding contributions to rural mental health. Both authors graduated from Mississippi State University, University of Tennessee, and University of Wyoming. Judith’s practice includes being a social worker at an institution for the retarded; a coordinator of outpatient services in a mental health center; and a director of a health counseling agency. She supervised students at these facilities. Joseph’s practice experience includes being a social worker with the Council of Community Services in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Commissioned Officer with the U.S. Indian Health Service. Academic accomplishments include being social work instructors at the University of Montana (Judith); Mississippi State University (Judith and Joseph); University of Wyoming (Judith, as Director of Social Work; Joseph as Associate Professor); University of Missouri School of Social Work (Judith as Professor and Director of Social Work; Joseph as Associate Professor). Both are retired but continue to contribute to the University of Missouri in various ways.

Joseph Davenport, III

Drs. Judith and Joseph Davenport have dedicated their practice, research, writing, and teaching to all things rural. They have published and presented their research findings across the United States and in many other countries. Judith has received the honor of being a recipient of the Victor Howery Award for outstanding contributions to rural mental health. Both authors graduated from Mississippi State University, University of Tennessee, and University of Wyoming. Judith’s practice includes being a social worker at an institution for the retarded; a coordinator of outpatient services in a mental health center; and a director of a health counseling agency. She supervised students at these facilities. Joseph’s practice experience includes being a social worker with the Council of Community Services in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Commissioned Officer with the U.S. Indian Health Service. Academic accomplishments include being social work instructors at the University of Montana (Judith); Mississippi State University (Judith and Joseph); University of Wyoming (Judith, as Director of Social Work; Joseph as Associate Professor); University of Missouri School of Social Work (Judith as Professor and Director of Social Work; Joseph as Associate Professor). Both are retired but continue to contribute to the University of Missouri in various ways.

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PRINTED FROM the Encyclopedia of Social Work, accessed online. (c) National Association of Social Workers and Oxford University Press USA, 2019. All Rights Reserved. Under the terms of the applicable license agreement governing use of the Encyclopedia of Social Work accessed online, an authorized individual user may print out a PDF of a single article for personal use, only (for details see Privacy Policy and Legal Notice).